Casino Queen renovations

EAST ST. LOUIS, IL - The Casino Queen continues its $150 million multi-phased expansion with the current renovation of its hotel rooms. The casino already spent $92 million to replace its original 1993 casino with its new 207,500-square-foot gaming facility last August 2007.

The hotel renovation is half way towards completion. That will be followed by a sports bar and night club that will open next spring. It will include big-screen TVs and a venue for live entertainment. A gift shop area will be added off the casino floor.

The expansion continues despite a 30-percent drop in business over last year. Casino General Manager Tom Monaghan attributes most of the loss to the new smoking law.

"The devastating blow to the smoking bill was a 20 percent drop overnight," Monaghan said. "Add tough economic times, and it continues to be difficult. People only have so much money for entertainment. Restaurants and theaters are probably experiencing the same thing."

To help facilitate smokers, the casino has built two heated smoking shelters outside the northeast and southeast corners of the casino.

As an important footnote, Casino Player Magazine has recognized the Casino Queen for the "Loosest Slots in the Country". This is the third consecutive year for this award.

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